Vehicle having self-laying track



March 25 ,,1924. 1,488,080

v v s. M. VIALE VEHICLE HAVING SELF LAYiNG TRACK Filed June 7, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 25 1924.

VEHICLE HAVING SELF LAYING TRACK Filed June 7, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v z 2 F I i-@ a F Patented Mar. 125, 1924*.

SPIRITO MAB-IO VIALL', 0."F COVENTRY, ENGLAND.

VEHICLE HAVING SELF-LAYING TRACK.

Application filed June 7,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Smnrro MARIO VIALE, a subject of the King of Italy, residing at Coventry, in the county of lVarwic-k, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicles Having Self-Laying Tracks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vehicles having self-laying tracks, such as tanks, tractors, and the like, having that kind of track suspension which comprises guide wheels engaging the inner side of the flexible track,

7 which wheels are mounted in pairs, or otherwise, upon a bogie which is spring supported directly or indirectly upon the vehicle. The object of the invention is to provide flexible means for supporting the bogie so as to allow it to rock about an axis transverse to the track and also twistabout an axis longitudinal to the track, or (and) a combination of the two, so that the track shoes'can accommodate themselves freely to the surface of the ground. It is the object of the invention also to ensure that the twisting movement should be spring resisted so that the shoes tend always to return to their normal positions.

According to this invention, each bogie has a ball and socket or similar connection with a tubular plunger or the like which is acted upon by the supporting spring or springs, and the ball or bogie is acted upon by a spring or springs in such a way that the movement which results when the bogie twists about the longitudinal axis is spring opposed. If desired, the springs may also oppose the rocking movement of the bogie.

The'mannerof carrying out the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section showing one bogie and its mounting.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same partly broken away and the front guide wheel removed, and

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a part.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

The bogie is shown at A carrying two wheels B which guide the shoes or links C of the track; According to part of the in' vention, each bogie has a ball and socket supporting connection with the plun er D, the joint shown comprising a ball F on the bogie engaging a socket F in the lower end 1923. Serial No. 643,846.

of the tubular plunger. Thus the bogie can twist about the longitudinal axis as, :0, Figure 1, or the transverse axis .2, Figure 2, or, of course, any other axis.

In one method of applying the spring pressure to the ball E, the latter carries a nose'or stem G which engages the underside of a cup H sliding inside the tubular plunger D and acted upon by a spring J. The underside of the cup which is engaged by the nose is so shaped in relation to the centre of the ball R that it constitutes a cam of any desired shape, such that when the ball moves about any desired axis thecup H has to move against the spring J and the desired resistance to it is obtained.

In the preferred construction there is arranged along the side of the vehicle a series of compartments in each of which is centrally arranged a vertical guide K wherein slides the plunger D. s

It will be clear that, by means of the ball and socket connection of the bogie with the plunger, the bogie can rock about an axis 2, a transverse to the track, so that the track can be perfectly flexible. The bogie can also twist about an axis 00, :0 parallel to the track, so that the shoes of the track can accommodate themselves in the manner required.

Generally speaking, the interior of the cup would have the same curvature in all planes.

' It will be obvious that the ball E. cup H, and its spring J move together as the main spring suspension operates, and only have relative movement when the bogie twists and (or) rocks. The interior of the plunger may be arranged to contain lubricant so that all the parts can be well lubricated as well as being protected from mud.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In avehicle having self-laying tracks, the combination of a flexible track, a bogie, guide wheels mounted upon said bogie and engaging said flexible track, a support for said bogie, a universal joint connecting said bogie and said support, and means adapted yieldingly to resist movement of said bogie relatively to its support.

2. In a vehicle having self-laying tracks, the combination of a flexible track, a bogie, guide wheels mounted upon said bogie and engaging said flexible track, asupport for said bogie in the form of a plunger, a universa]. joint connecting said bogie and said plunger and means contained Within said plunger adapted yieldingly to resist movement of said bogie relatively to its support.

3. In a vehicle having self-laying tracks, the combination of a flexible track, a bogie, guide wheels mounted upon said bogie and engaging said flexible track, a support for said bogie in the form of a plunger, a

" universal joint connecting said bogie and said plunger, a stem extending from said universal joint into said plunger, and a sliding cup bearing upon said stein under the action of a yielding pressure.

4. In vehicle having self-laying tracks, the combination of a flexible track, a bogie, guide Wheels mounted upon said bogie and engaging said flexible track, a support for said bogie in the "form of a tubular plunger, a universal joint constituted by a ball upon said bogie engaging a socketat the lower end of said plunger, thereby to connect said bogie With said plunger, stem extending from said ball into said plunger a cup slidable Within said plunger bearing on the end of said stem, and a spring Within said plunger bearing upon said cup.

5. In a vehicle having self-laying tracks, the combination of a flexible track, a bogie, guide Wheels mounted upon said bogie and engaging said flexible track, a support for said bogie in the form of a vertical tubular plunger, a universal joint constituted by a ball upon said bogie engaging a socket at the lower end of said plunger thereby to connect said bogie with said plunger, a stem extending from said ball into said plunger, and a cup-shaped spring loaded cam slidable Within said plunger bearing on the end of said stem adapted to oppose movement of said stein in a given direction.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

SPIRITO MAR-I0 vii nan.

Witnesses: V

F. B. SMITH, P; H. DALLEY. 

